I get what you mean about sensors being more reliable than people sometimes. I had a leak under my old sink that went unnoticed for who knows how long—by the time I caught it, the particle board was basically oatmeal. My “routine checks” were more like “whenever I remember and don’t get distracted by the dog or the kids.” Ended up replacing the whole cabinet and the sink, which was not in the budget that month.
I did install a cheap leak sensor after that, mostly out of spite. It’s beeped twice since—once for an actual drip, and once because my kid spilled juice under there. Still, I’d rather have a false alarm than another cabinet disaster. I do get nervous about adding more gadgets, though. The more stuff I wire up, the more I feel like my kitchen’s going to turn into a scene from Home Alone if something shorts out. But hey, if a $20 sensor saves me from another $500 repair, I’ll take my chances.
I’ve seen way too many cabinets turn to mush because of slow leaks—honestly, it’s more common than folks think. I always tell people, even a cheap sensor is better than nothing, and you’re right, a false alarm is just annoying compared to the mess a real leak can make. I get the hesitation about adding more gadgets, though. Ever had one of those sensors go off in the middle of the night? That’ll wake you up faster than coffee... but at least you know it’s working. Did you end up replacing with another particle board cabinet, or did you go for something sturdier this time?
I learned the hard way that particle board is basically a sponge in disguise. First time I had a slow leak under the sink, I thought I caught it early, but nope—by the time I pulled everything out, the bottom was sagging and crumbling. Replaced it with another cheap cabinet (rookie mistake), and sure enough, two years later, same story. After that, I bit the bullet and went with plywood. Costs more up front, but it’s held up way better, especially in rentals where tenants don’t always notice a drip until it’s too late.
I’m with you on the sensors—yeah, they can be annoying when they chirp at 3am, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than another weekend spent ripping out soggy wood. Some folks say it’s overkill, but if you’re managing multiple units, those little gadgets pay for themselves pretty quick. Particle board just isn’t worth the hassle if you’re thinking long-term.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I learned the hard way too—particle board just isn’t built for any kind of moisture. Plywood’s not cheap, but it’s saved me a ton of headaches over the years. Those sensors are annoying sometimes, but like you said, way better than dealing with a cabinet swap every couple years. Long-term thinking pays off, especially if you’ve got more than one place to look after. Sometimes spending more up front is just smarter.
Yeah, I’ve been down that road more times than I care to admit. First couple rentals I ever bought, I figured particle board was “good enough” under the sink—big mistake. One slow leak and the whole thing swelled up like a sponge. Ended up replacing the cabinets twice in five years, which cost way more than just doing plywood from the start.
I hear you on the sensors too. They’re a pain when they go off for no reason, but honestly, I’d rather get a false alarm than walk in and find mold or warped wood. The upfront cost stings a bit, but it’s nothing compared to ripping out cabinets and dealing with tenants who are upset about their kitchen being torn up.
Funny thing is, I used to think I was saving money by cutting corners... turns out, cheaping out just means paying double later. Live and learn, right?
